Communication terminal, and dial registration method and dial registration program therefor

ABSTRACT

A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons simplifies operations needed for registration of destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses. A communication terminal (e.g., a cellular phone) having one or more one-touch-dial buttons includes a destination-data registration unit (e.g., a phone-directory database) that allows destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses to be registered therein, a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein so as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, and a control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs a result of the determination and a query message regarding registration of the destination data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefit to Japanese PatentApplication 2004-238520 filed Aug. 18, 2004 and is a ContinuationApplication of Ser. No. 10/998,036 entitled “Communication Terminal, andDial Registration Method and Dial Registration Program Therefor”, byToshikazu Houmura et al., filed Nov. 29, 2004, now pending, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to controlling registration of a one-touchdial in a communication terminal such as a cellular phone. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a communication terminalthat allows a phone number to be registered in response to an operationof a one-touch-dial button, and to a dial registration method and a dialregistration program for such a communication terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a known type of communication terminal such as a cellular phone, aone-touch-dial button is provided separately from dial buttons forinputting a phone number so that by pressing the one-touch-dial buttonit is possible to call the phone number associated with the button whichpressed. Even though provided with such on one-touch-dial button, if aphone number is not yet registered, when the one-touch-dial button ispressed by a user, the user is notified that a phone number is not yetregistered. Then, the screen returns to an idle screen, and the user hasto register a dial from a menu mode.

Regarding the use of such a one-touch-dial button, Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2004-147136 discloses a method forregistering, as a one-touch dial, a phone number that is input whenmaking a call. The registration method requires input of a phone number,so that registration is not allowed if the phone number is not stored atthe time of registration.

When a phone number is registered so as to be associated with aone-touch-dial button, a phone number is first registered in aphone-directory database, and then operation is started again from amenu to register the phone number in relation to the one-touch-dialbutton. This is inconvenient for a user since the user has to operatebuttons many times so that the operations for registration are complexeven though the one-touch-dial button is provided.

Furthermore, even when a one-touch-dial button is provided, if it isrequired to input a phone number or a mail address, it is not possibleto register a phone number or a mail address when the phone number orthe mail address are not stored or when the user is not allowed toinstantly refer to the phone number or the mail address.

These problems or measures for solving these problems are not disclosedor suggested in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.2004-147136.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problems described above, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons, in which operations needed for registration ofdestination data such as a phone number or a mail address aresimplified.

To this end, according to an aspect of the present invention, acommunication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons isprovided. The communication terminal includes a destination-dataregistration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein;a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to beregistered therein so as to be associated with the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons; and a control unit that, in response to anoperation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whetherdestination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registrationunit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs aresult of the determination and a query message regarding registrationof the destination data. In the communication terminal, destination datarefers to information that serves to identify a destination ofcommunication, such as a phone number or a mail address.

Accordingly, destination data such as a phone number is registered inthe destination-data registration unit, and destination data such as aphone number is registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit so asto be associated with a one-touch-dial button. In response to anoperation of a one-touch-dial button, the control unit determineswhether destination data has been registered in relation to theone-touch-dial button. As a result of this determination, the controlunit outputs a result of the determination and a query message regardingregistration of the destination data. Based on these outputs, by theoperation of the one-touch-dial button, a user is allowed to checkwhether destination data has been registered, and to determine whetheror not to register destination data based on the query message.

The communication terminal may further include a display that displays ascreen showing status of processing, so that the display, in response tothe output of the result of the determination and the query message,displays a screen showing selection information together with the resultof the determination and the query message.

Accordingly, in response to an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons, after it is determined whether destination datahas been registered, the display presents a screen showing selectioninformation together with a query message regarding registration of thedestination data such as a phone number. Based on the message, the useris allowed to select, for example, registration from the selectioninformation, input desired destination data such as a phone number, andreadily register the destination data in relation to the one-touch-dialbutton.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a communicationterminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons is provided. Thecommunication terminal includes a destination-data registration unitthat allows destination data to be registered therein; a one-touch-dialregistration unit that allows destination data to be registered thereinso as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; anda control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons, allows newly input destination data to beregistered in the destination-data registration unit in a case wheredestination data has not been registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit and the destination-data registration unit.

Accordingly, it is possible to check by an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons whether destination data such as a phone numberhas not been registered. When destination data has not been registered,it is possible to register destination data in the destination-dataregistration unit without transition from processing for the operationof the one-touch-dial button to other processing. Based on thisregistration, it is possible to register the destination data inrelation to the one-touch-dial button without transition to otherprocessing. Thus, destination data can be registered so as to beassociated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons by a smallernumber of operations.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a communicationterminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons is provided. Thecommunication terminal includes a destination-data registration unitthat allows destination data to be registered therein; a one-touch-dialregistration unit that allows destination data to be registered thereinso as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; anda control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons, allows destination data retrieved from thedestination-data registration unit to be registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit in a case where destination data hasnot been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit in relationto the one-touch-dial button operated.

Accordingly, it is possible to check by an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons whether destination data such as a phone numberhas not been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit inrelation to the one-touch-dial button. When destination data has notbeen registered, it is possible to search the destination-dataregistration unit without transition from processing for the operationof the one-touch-dial button to other processing. When destination datahas been registered in the destination-data registration unit inrelation to the one-touch-dial button, the destination data retrievedfrom the destination-data registration unit can be registered inrelation to the one-touch-dial button without transition to otherprocessing. Thus, destination data can be registered so as to beassociated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons by a smallernumber of operations.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration method for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The dial registration methodincludes the steps of registering destination data in a destination-dataregistration unit; registering destination data in a one-touch-dialregistration unit so as to be associated with the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons; and in response to an operation of the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons, determining whether destination data hasbeen registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or thedestination-data registration unit, and outputting a result of thedetermination and a query message regarding registration of thedestination data. Accordingly, as described earlier with regard to acommunication terminal, by the operation of the one-touch-dial button, auser is allowed to check whether destination data has been registered,and to determine whether or not to register destination data based onthe query message.

The dial registration method may further include the steps of displayinga screen showing status of processing on a display; and in response tothe output of the result of the determination and the query message,displaying on the display a screen showing selection informationtogether with the result of the determination and the query message.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration method for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The dial registration methodincludes the steps of registering destination data in a destination-dataregistration unit; registering destination data in a one-touch-dialregistration unit so as to be associated with the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons; and in response to an operation of the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons, allowing newly input destination data to beregistered in the destination-data registration unit in a case wheredestination data has not been registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit and the destination-data registration unit.Accordingly, as described earlier with regard to a communicationterminal, it is possible to register destination data so as to beassociated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons withouttransition to other processing, so that the number of operations neededfor registration becomes smaller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration method for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The dial registration methodincludes the steps of registering destination data in a destination-dataregistration unit; registering destination data in a one-touch-dialregistration unit so as to be associated with the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons; and in response to an operation of the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons, allowing destination data retrieved fromthe destination-data registration unit to be registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit in a case where destination data hasnot been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit in relationto the one-touch-dial button operated. Accordingly, as described earlierwith regard to a communication terminal, it is possible to retrievedestination data from the destination-data registration unit and toregister the destination data so as to be associated with the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons without transition to other processing, sothat the number of operations needed for registration becomes smaller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration program for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The dial registration program allowsan information processing unit to execute the steps of registeringdestination data in a destination-data registration unit; registeringdestination data in a one-touch-dial registration unit so as to beassociated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; and in responseto an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determiningwhether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit or the destination-data registration unit, andoutputting a result of the determination and a query message regardingregistration of the destination data. Accordingly, as described earlierwith regard to a dial registration method for a communication terminal,by the operation of the one-touch-dial button, a user is allowed tocheck whether destination data has been registered, and to determinewhether or not to register destination data based on the query message.

The dial registration program may further include the steps ofdisplaying a screen showing status of processing on a display; and inresponse to the output of the result of the determination and the querymessage, displaying on the display a screen showing selectioninformation together with the result of the determination and the querymessage.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration program for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The program allows an informationprocessing unit to execute the steps of registering destination data ina destination-data registration unit; registering destination data in aone-touch-dial registration unit so as to be associated with the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons; and in response to an operation of the oneor more one-touch-dial buttons, allowing newly input destination data tobe registered in the destination-data registration unit in a case wheredestination data has not been registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit and the destination-data registration unit.Accordingly, as described earlier with regard to a dial registrationmethod for a communication terminal, it is possible to registerdestination data so as to be associated with the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons without transition to other processing, so thatthe number of operations needed for registration becomes smaller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a dialregistration program for a communication terminal having one or moreone-touch-dial buttons is provided. The dial registration program allowsan information processing unit to execute the steps of registeringdestination data in a destination-data registration unit; registeringdestination data in a one-touch-dial registration unit so as to beassociated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; and in responseto an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, allowingdestination data retrieved from the destination-data registration unitto be registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit in a case wheredestination data has not been registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit in relation to the one-touch-dial button operated.Accordingly, as described earlier with regard to a dial registrationmethod for a communication terminal, it is possible to retrievedestination data from the destination-data registration unit and toregister the destination data so as to be associated with the one ormore one-touch-dial buttons without transition to other processing, sothat the number of operations needed for registration becomes smaller.

As described above, according to the present invention, which relates toa communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons, itis possible to register destination data such as a phone number or amail address by a sequence starting from an operation of the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons for which a one-touch dial has not beenregistered. Thus, operations needed for registration of a phone numberor the like are simplified, so that a communication terminal that isconvenient and easy to operate can be provided.

Features and advantages of the present invention include the following.

With a communication terminal or a dial registration method according tothe present invention, which relate to a communication terminal havingone or more one-touch-dial buttons, the number of dial operations neededis reduced. Thus, the communication terminal provides improvedfunctionality of one-touch-dial buttons and therefore improvedconvenience.

With a dial registration program for a communication terminal accordingto the present invention, which relates to a communication terminalhaving one or more one-touch-dial buttons, the number of dial operationsneeded is reduced. Thus, the communication terminal provides improvedfunctionality of one-touch-dial buttons and therefore improvedconvenience.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the description of embodiments with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example construction of a cellularphone, which is a communication terminal according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the cellular phone;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are illustrations showing example screens displayed onthe cellular phone;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations showing example screens displayed onthe cellular phone;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a dialregistration method and a dial registration program for a communicationterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a screen for registering a one-touch-dialnumber that is not yet registered;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a screen for registering a one-touch-dialnumber that is not yet registered;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a screen that is displayed in a case wherea one-touch-dial number is not registered;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a screen for registering a one-touch-dialnumber that is not yet registered;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a screen for registering a one-touch-dialnumber that is not yet registered;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a sendingmethod or a sending program that uses a one-touch-dial number; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a screen that is displayed in aone-touch-dial sending process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A communication terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows anexample construction of a cellular phone according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cellular phone 2 includes a control unit 4implemented by a central processing unit (CPU) or the like. The controlunit 4 is connected to an input operation unit 6, a read-only memory(ROM) 8, a random access memory (RAM) 10, a phone-directory database 12,a one-touch-dial registration unit 14, a display 16, a wirelesstransceiver 18, and so forth.

The control unit 4 allows various types of information processing byexecuting programs such as a phone-number registration program, aphone-number searching program, a one-touch-dial registration program, adisplay control program, and a communication control program. Thecontrol unit includes a timer 20 for generating timing data. The timer20 need not be implemented in hardware, and may be implemented insoftware.

The input operation unit 6 includes various switches, such asone-touch-dial buttons 22, a cursor key 24, an enter button 26, dialbuttons 28, a start/text button 30, and a power/cancel button 32. Theone-touch-dial buttons 22 are used to register a one-touch dial number,to make a call by one-touch dialing, or the like. The cursor key 24 isused to move a cursor displayed on a screen of the display 16. To thecursor key 24, a mail button 25 is allocated. The mail button 25 ispressed when a user wishes to enter a mail creation mode. The enterbutton 26 is used to determine a processing function selected by movingthe cursor. The dial buttons 28 are used to input a phone number,characters, or the like. The start/text button 30 is used to make orreceive phone calls, and to switch text input mode. The power/cancelbutton 32 is used to turn the power on or off, to terminate a call, orto hold a call.

The ROM 8 stores the programs mentioned earlier. The RAM 10 is used totemporarily store data during operation or input data. Thephone-directory database 12 is an example of a destination-dataregistration unit that allows destination data such as phone numbers ormail addresses to be registered therein. The one-touch-dial registrationunit 14 is used to register destination data, e.g., phone numbers, inrelation to the one-touch-dial buttons 22. The phone numbers or otherdestination data are selected from the destination data registered inthe phone-directory database 12. In this case, the one touch dialregistration unit 14 may be constituted so that addresses in the phonedirectory database 12 of the destination data such as phone numberscorresponding to the one-touch-dial buttons 22 are registered therein.

The display 16 is implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display(LCD). The display 16 is used to present information, to display acursor for selecting information, and so forth. The wireless transceiver18 includes a wireless unit for exchanging high-frequency signals via anantenna 34, and a baseband-signal processor for processing audio or datasignals. The wireless transceiver 18 is used to exchange signalswirelessly with an operation center of phone calls, mail, or the like.

The appearance of the cellular phone 2 will be described with referenceto FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the cellularphone 2.

The cellular phone 2 has a first case part 36 and a second case part 38that can be opened or closed with respect to each other via a hinge 40.The first case part 36 is provided with the cursor key 24, the enterbutton 26, the dial buttons 28, the start/text button 30, thepower/cancel button 32, and so forth, of the input operation unit 6. Thefirst case part 36 also has a mouthpiece 42 from which speech is inputto a microphone 44. The second case part 38 is provided with the display16. In this embodiment, three one-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223are provided below the display 16 as the one-touch-dial buttons 22.Above the display 16, an earpiece 46 is provided, from which soundreproduced through a speaker 48 is output. The second case part 38 isalso provided with an antenna 34 that can be extended or retracted. On aback surface of the second case part 38, another display is provided.

On the display 16 of the cellular phone 2, for example, an idle screen50 is displayed. The idle screen 50 includes display areas 502, 504, and506. The display area 502 shows a remaining-battery mark 52, a receptionintensity mark 54, and so forth. The display area 504 shows, althoughnot shown in FIG. 2, a date, a time, a preinstalled image, and the like.The display area 506 shows a menu 56.

Next, screens that are displayed on the display 16 of the cellular phone2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C and FIGS. 4A and4B. FIG. 3A shows a screen displayed in a one-touch-dial mode, and FIGS.3B and 3C show screens displayed in a one-touch-dial registration mode.FIG. 4A shows a screen displayed in the one-touch-dial registrationmode, and FIG. 4B shows a screen displayed in a phone-directoryregistration mode.

FIG. 3A shows a screen 56 showing one-touch-dial information, which isdisplayed in the one-touch-dial mode. In the screen 56, the display area502 is the same as that in the idle screen 50. The display area 504shows “One touch 1”, and a name and a phone number of a party, e.g.,“SUZUKI Taro” and “03XXXXXXXX”. When a mail address has been registered,the mail address is displayed in the display area 504. When thestart/text button 30 is pressed while the screen 56 is displaying, thecellular phone 2 enters a phone-call mode.

FIG. 3B shows a screen 58 showing a result of searching for a registeredone-touch dial number, which is displayed in the one-touch-dialregistration mode. In the screen 58, display areas 502, 503, 504, and506 are displayed. The display area 502 is the same as that in the idlescreen 50. The display area 503 shows “One-touch-dial registration”. Thedisplay area 504 shows a processing result and a query message, e.g.,“No one-touch-dial number has been registered.”, “Do you wish toregister a one-touch dial number?”, “1. Select from phone directory”,“2. Register new number”, and “3. Do not register”. The display area 506shows “OK”. When the cursor is placed over one of “1. Select from phonedirectory”, “2. Register new number”, and “3. Do not register” shown inthe display area 504 and the enter button 26 is pressed, the cellularphone 2 enters the selected processing.

FIG. 3C shows a screen 60 that allows searching for a registered phonenumber, which is displayed in the one-touch-dial registration mode. Inthe screen 60, the display area 502 is the same as that in the idlescreen 50. The display area 503 shows “One-touch-dial registration”. Thedisplay area 504 shows operation guidance, e.g., “1. Searchalphabetically” and “2. Search by group”. The display area 506 shows“OK”. When the cursor is placed over one of “1. Search alphabetically”and “2. Search by group” shown in the display area 504 and the enterbutton 26 is pressed, the cellular phone 2 enters the selectedprocessing.

FIG. 4A shows a screen 62 for choosing whether or not to register aphone number, which is displayed in the one-touch-dial registrationmode. In the screen 62, the display area 502 is the same as that in theidle screen 50. The display area 503 shows “One-touch-dialregistration”. The display area 504 shows a processing result and aquery message, e.g., “The phone directory is empty.”, “Do you wish toregister a phone number?”, “1. Register new number”, and “2. Do notregister”. The display area 506 shows “OK”. When the cursor is placedover one of “1. Register new number” and “2. Do not register” shown inthe display area 504 and the enter button 26 is pressed, the cellularphone 2 enters the selected processing.

FIG. 4B shows a screen 64 for completing registration, which isdisplayed in the phone-directory registration mode. In the screen 64,display areas 502, 504, and 506 are displayed. The display area 502 isthe same as that in the idle screen 50. The display area 504 shows aprocessing result and a query message, e.g., “The phone number has beenregistered in the phone directory.”, “Do you wish to register it as aone-touch-dial number?”, “1. Register new number”, and “2. Do notregister”. The display area 506 shows “OK”. When the cursor is placedover one of “1. Register new number” and “2. Do not register” displayedon the display area 504 and the enter button 26 is pressed, the cellularphone 2 enters the selected processing.

Next, a dial registration method and a dial registration program for acommunication terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. FIG. 5 is aflowchart showing a processing procedure of a one-touch-dialregistration method or a one-touch-dial registration program for acellular phone. FIGS. 6 to 9 relates to processing in response to anoperation of a one-touch-dial button without associated registration.FIG. 6 shows transition of a screen in a case where an entry exists in aphone directory and a one-touch-dial number is registered by retrievingthe entry. FIG. 7 shows transition of a screen in a case where an entryexists in a phone directory and a new one-touch-dial number isregistered. FIG. 8 shows transition of a screen in a case where an entryexists in a phone directory and a one-touch-dial number is notregistered. FIG. 9 shows transition of a screen in a case where an entrydoes not exist in a phone directory and a new one-touch-dial number isregistered. A program for the processing procedure in the flowchartshown in FIG. 5 is usually stored in the ROM 10, but may be stored in astorage medium other than the ROM 10.

When one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223 is pressed, thecellular phone 2 enters the one-touch-dial mode. Then, in step S1, it isdetermined whether a one-touch-dial number has been registered for theone-touch-dial button pressed. More specifically, when one of theone-touch-dial buttons 221 to 223 is pressed, it is checked whether aphone number has been allocated to an address associated with theone-touch-dial button pressed. As a result of this determination, if,for example, the one-touch-dial button 221 is pressed, in step S2, thescreen 56 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed. In the screen 56, “One touch 1”representing the one-touch-dial button 221, a name of a party, e.g.,“SUZUKI Taro”, and a phone number of the party, e.g., “03XXXXXXXX”, aredisplayed. Thus, a user is allowed to find out the party and the phonenumber registered for the one-touch-dial button 221.

When no one-touch-dial number has been registered, in step S3, thephone-directory database 12 is searched. In step S4, it is determinedwhether phone numbers have been registered in the phone-directorydatabase 12 based on the searching in step S3. When phone numbers havebeen registered in the phone-directory database 12, in step S5, thecellular phone 2 enters the one-touch-dial registration mode, and thescreen 58 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. Then, in step S6, selectioninstructions about whether to choose a phone number from thephone-directory database 12, to register a new one-touch-dial number, ornot to register are displayed. When the user selects not to register,the screen transits to the idle screen 50 shown in FIG. 2. When the userselects to choose a phone number from the phone-directory database 12,in step S7, the screen 60 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed. When the userselects to register a new one-touch-dial number, the cellular phone 2enters the phone-directory registration mode.

When it is determined in step S4 that no phone number has beenregistered in the phone-directory database 12, in step S8, the screen 62shown in FIG. 4A is displayed. In step S9, the user selects whether ornot to register a new one-touch-dial number in the screen 62. When theuser selects not to register a one-touch-dial number, the cellular phone2 exits the procedure, and returns to the idle screen 50 shown in FIG. 2and described earlier. When the user selects to register a newone-touch-dial number, in step S10, the cellular phone 2 enters thephone-directory registration mode so that the user is allowed to input aphone number or the like using the dial buttons 28. When the input iscompleted, in step S11, it is determined whether or not to register thephone number as a one-touch-dial number. In this case, the screen 64shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. When the user selects not to register aone-touch-dial number, the cellular phone 2 returns to the idle screen50 shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, when the user selects to registera one-touch-dial number, in step S12, the user presses the enter button26 in the screen 64 to register a one-touch-dial number. When the phonenumber has been registered as associated with the pressed button amongthe one-touch-dial buttons 221 to 223, the cellular phone 2 returns tothe idle screen 50 shown in FIG. 2.

In the processing procedure described above, when no one-touch-dialnumber has been registered and a one-touch-dial number is registeredfrom the phone-directory database 12 in which phone-number data exists,Screen shown in parts (A), (B), and (C) of FIG. 6 is displayed andprocessing is executed in accordance with the transition of the screen.When one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221 to 223 without associatedregistration is pressed, the screen 58 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed,and when a phone number is to be selected from the phone-directorydatabase 12, the screen 60 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed. Then, when, aone-touch-dial number is to be registered, a one-touch-dial registrationscreen is displayed and the one-touch-dial number is registered, wherebyregistration of the one-touch-dial number is completed.

When no one-touch-dial number has been registered and a new phone numberis registered in the phone-directory database 12 in which phone-numberdata exists, screen shown in parts (A) and (B) of FIG. 7 is displayedand processing is executed in accordance with the transition of thescreen. That is, when one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221 to 223without associated registration is pressed, the screen 58 shown in FIG.3B is displayed. When the user selects to register a new one-touch-dialnumber, the screen transits to a phone-directory registration screen.

Since a phone number can be directly registered in the phone-directorydatabase 12 from the one-touch-dial registration mode, the number ofbutton operations needed is small, and a phone number and aone-touch-dial number can be registered continuously.

If phone-number data exists in the phone-directory database 12 and noone-touch-dial number has been registered, when the user selects not toregister a one-touch-dial number, screen shown in parts (A) and (B) ofFIG. 8 is displayed and processing is executed in accordance with thetransition of the screen. When one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221 to223 without associated registration is pressed, the screen 58 shown inFIG. 3B is displayed. When the user selects not to register a phonenumber, the one-touch-dial registration mode is exited, and the screentransits to the idle screen 50 shown in FIG. 2.

When a phone number has not been registered in the phone-directorydatabase 12 and a new phone number is to be registered from theone-touch-dial registration mode, screen shown in parts (A) and (B) ofFIG. 9 is displayed and processing is executed in accordance with thetransition of the screen. When one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221 to223 without associated registration is pressed, the screen 62 shown inFIG. 4A is displayed. When the user selects to register a new phonenumber, the screen transits to the phone-directory registration screen.

Also in this case, a phone number can be registered in thephone-directory database 12 directly from the one-touch-dialregistration mode, so that the number of button operations needed issmall, and a phone number and a one-touch-dial number can be registeredcontinuously.

When a phone number has not been registered in the phone-directorydatabase 12 and a new phone number is not registered in theone-touch-dial registration mode, screen shown in parts (A) and (B) ofFIG. 10 is displayed and processing is executed in accordance with thetransition of the screen. When one of the one-touch-dial buttons 221 to223 without associated registration is pressed, the screen 62 shown inFIG. 4A is displayed. When the user selects not to register a phonenumber, the screen transits to the idle screen 50 shown in FIG. 2.

Next, a sending method or a sending program relating to one-touchdialing in the cellular phone 2 will be described with reference toFIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sending procedurerelating to an operation of a one-touch-dial button. FIG. 12 is anillustration showing transition of screen relating to the procedure.

When phone numbers have been registered for the one-touch-dial buttons221, 222, and 223 in the cellular phone 2, when one of theone-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223, e.g., the one-touch-dialbutton 221, is pressed, in step S21, it is determined whether theone-touch-dial button 221 is kept pressed for a predetermined time,e.g., one second, or longer than the predetermined time. If so, asending process is executed. Thus, only by pressing the one-touch-dialbutton 221 without using other buttons, it is possible to call a phonenumber assigned to the one-touch-dial button 221 and conversation isallowed.

When the one-touch-dial button 221 is not kept pressed for one second,in step S23. a one-touch-dial screen, i.e., the screen 56 shown in FIG.3A, is displayed. In this case, phone-number data associated with theone-touch-dial button 221, i.e., “One touch 1”, a name of a party, e.g.,“SUZUKI Taro”, and a phone number of the party, e.g., “03XXXXXXXX”, aredisplayed.

In the screen 56, when the mail button 25 allocated to the cursor key 24is pressed, a mail creating screen is displayed on the display 16,allowing the user to create a mail by inputting text using the dialbuttons 28. When the user finishes creating a mail and accepts thecontent of the mail by pressing the enter button 26 and then presses thestart/text button 30, the mail is sent to a party registered asassociated with the one-touch-dial button 221.

While the one-touch-dial screen is displaying, in step S24, it isdetermined whether the start/text button 30 is pressed. If so, in stepS22, the cellular phone 2 enters a sending process. If the power/cancelbutton 32 is pressed without pressing the start/text button 30, thecellular phone 2 exits the sending mode and returns to the idle screen50 shown in FIG. 2.

In the sending process in response to pressing of one of theone-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223, the screen transits to thescreen shown in parts (A) and (B) of FIG. 12. More specifically, whenone of the one-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223 is pressed, asending process is executed. In the sending process, as shown in part(B) of FIG. 12, a screen 66 is displayed on the display 16. In thescreen 66, display areas 502 and 504 are displayed. The display area 502shows a remaining-battery mark 52, a reception-intensity mark 54, and soforth. The display area 504 shows “Calling” and the destination phonenumber, e.g., “03XXXXXXXX”, together with an image of a cellular phone.

As described above, when phone numbers have been registered for theone-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223, it is possible to call andcommunicate with a registered party by pressing one of theone-touch-dial buttons 221, 222, and 223.

Features, modifications, etc., of the embodiment described above will begiven below.

(1) As in the embodiment described above, from a one-touch-dial screen,it is possible to input a phone number or a mail address, performcontrol processing of edit and registration of destination data, such asa name of a party, and to retrieve registered destination data, e.g., aphone number, from a phone-directory database and register it as aone-touch-dial number. Thus, the number of button operations and amountof processing needed are reduced. Furthermore, it is possible toregister a phone number even when a user is not allowed to instantlyrefer to the phone number.

(2) For a user who appreciates ease of operation, it is possible toprovide a communication terminal, e.g., a cellular phone, that isconvenient in that it is easy to operate, easy to learn to operate, andeasy to use.

(3) Furthermore, in a screen for registration of a one-touch-dialnumber, when phone numbers have not been registered, a message to thateffect and a message for registration are displayed. Thus, it ispossible to provide a communication terminal, e.g., a cellular phone,that provides rich guidance.

(4) Although a cellular phone is described as an example of acommunication terminal in the embodiment, the present invention is notlimited to the embodiment, and may be applied to a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a personal computer, a digital camera, or the like,that is capable of communication.

(5) Although phone numbers and mail addresses are mentioned as examplesof destination data that is registered in the embodiment describedabove, other destination data may be used.

(6) Although three one-touch-dial buttons are used in the embodimentdescribed above, four or more one-touch-dial buttons may be provided.Also, four or more one-touch-dial numbers may be registered usingcombinations of two or more buttons among three one-touch-dial buttons.

Although a preferred embodiment, modifications, etc., of the presentinvention have been described above, the present invention is notlimited to what has been described above. Various modifications andalternatives could be conceived by those skilled in the art based on thegist of the present invention as described in the claims or disclosed inthe specification. It is to be understood that such modifications andalternatives fall within the scope of the present invention.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-238520including specification, claims, drawings and abstract is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

1. A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons,the communication terminal comprising: a destination-data registrationunit that allows destination data to be registered therein; aone-touch-dial registration unit that allows an address of thedestination data in the destination-data registration unit to beregistered therein, the destination data being called in accordance withan operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; and a controlunit that, if the one or more one-touch-dial buttons are operated,displays on a display means the destination data associated with theaddress when the address is registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit, displays on the display means information meaningthat the address is not registered when the address is not registered inthe one-touch-dial registration unit and the destination data isregistered in the destination-data registration unit, and displays onthe display means information meaning that the destination data is notregistered when the address is not registered in the one-touch-dialregistration unit and the destination data is not registered in thedestination-data registration unit.
 2. The communication terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays on the displaymeans a screen for selecting the address, which is a registrationobject, from the destination-data registration unit when the address isnot registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit and thedestination data is registered in the destination-data registrationunit.
 3. A dial registration method for a communication terminal havingone or more one-touch-dial buttons, the dial registration methodcomprising: registering destination data in a destination-dataregistration unit; registering an address of the destination data in thedestination-data registration unit to a one-touch-dial registrationunit, the destination data being called in accordance with an operationof the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; and if the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons are operated, displaying the destination dataassociated with the address when the address is registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit, displaying information meaning thatthe address is not registered when the address is not registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit and the destination data is registeredin the destination-data registration unit, and displaying informationmeaning that the destination data is not registered when the address isnot registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit and thedestination data is not registered in the destination-data registrationunit.
 4. The dial registration method according to claim 3, furthercomprising: displaying a screen for selecting the address, which is aregistration object, from the destination-data registration unit whenthe address is not registered in the one-touch-dial registration unitand the destination data is registered in the destination-dataregistration unit.
 5. A computer-readable recording medium storing aprogram for a computer to execute dial registration of a communicationterminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons, the programcomprising: registering destination data in a destination-dataregistration unit; registering an address of the destination data in thedestination-data registration unit to a one-touch-dial registrationunit, the destination data being called in accordance with an operationof the one or more one-touch-dial buttons; and if the one or moreone-touch-dial buttons are operated, displaying the destination dataassociated with the address when the address is registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit, displaying information meaning thatthe address is not registered when the address is not registered in theone-touch-dial registration unit and the destination data is registeredin the destination-data registration unit, and displaying informationmeaning that the destination data is not registered when the address isnot registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit and thedestination data is not registered in the destination-data registrationunit.
 6. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 5,further comprising: displaying a screen for selecting the address, whichis a registration object, from the destination-data registration unitwhen the address is not registered in the one-touch-dial registrationunit and the destination data is registered in the destination-dataregistration unit.